creating art with food

Some of you may remember that this summer I headed to Vermont for a live art installation at Wanderlust Festival.  During the four days of the yoga festival, I worked on a 14 ft. mandala piece using only seeds, dried fruit, beans, grains, and other natural food ingredients.

The mandala depicted the different stages and elements of a seed's life: roots, sprouts, rain, sun, and flowers. In the photo above, I was forming organic vanilla bean into raindrops.  The mandala was smelling so good!

The installment was part of the Kashi booth at Wanderlust, and the work was captured on film by a New York crew.  For the last couple of hours I thought it'd be fun to get the community involved.  So a number of folks jumped in to help finish the mandala piece, including a few children who had been watching the process from the start. 

After snapping pictures of the finished work, the mandala was dismantled.  The ingredients were then given to a local farmer to use as feed for his animals.

Here's a short video that Kashi put together of the art installment:

Summer dreaming

Eagle Creek Trail, Oregon

Summer is nearly here, and you can feel the excitement in the Portland air.  Folks are showing off their dazzling white legs, and there's talk of backyard barbeques, festivals, and adventure trips in the Pacific Northwest.  

Now that the kids are out of school, I look forward to day trips to the coast and mountains.  A couple of months ago, we hiked the Eagle Creek Trail in the gorge.  The water was a little too chilly for wading, but, come July,  I'll be ready for some creek walking!

My summer schedule is quickly filling up with family and work-related activities.  Next week, I'm headed to Vermont for an art installation using food! During the Wanderlust Festival at Stratton Mountain, I'll be creating a 15 ft. mandala for Kashi using only natural food ingredients, like seeds, grains, beans, and nuts.  

I love to cook, but this is the first time I've used food to create large scale art.  It's been fun playing around with the different ingredients on our dining room table, and the vanilla bean, coconut, and cinnamon sticks make the room smell so good!

If you want to follow the the progress of my mandala art at Wanderlust Festival, I'll be posting pictures on Instagram. 

Lately, I've also been busy creating new work for my online shops.  Phenomenon is my newest art print, and it's available in two sizes.  

I've been wanting to mesh my mountain painting and weaving worlds for a while now, and Azure Mountain is the result of that coming together. Created on a lap loom without a drawing, the weaving process was slow-going.  But I enjoyed "painting" with yarn and seeing the piece evolve. 

Azure Mountain is currently available in my big cartel shop, as well as the weavings below.  This weekend, I'm running a free shipping promotion.  Use code HELLOSUMMER, and receive free shipping on your order. 

Weavings: Laguna, Summer Dream, Sea Breeze, Native Land

my art now at Urban Outfitters!

In the summer of 2013, I was excited to receive an email from Urban Outfitters expressing their interest in my art.  I had never licensed my art before, so, naturally, I had lots of questions about the whole process.  From the get-go, the company was very receptive to my questions and requests, including those involving the manufacturing of my art.

After working closely with Urban Outfitters for several months, I am thrilled to announce that my art is now available in their stores!  There are three pieces in the collection, and all the items are made domestically.  Exclusive to Urban Outfitters are the two works on wood slab- Journey and Cascade.  Mountain, which is a 13" x 13" print, is printed on archival paper with archival inks.

Also at Urban Outfitters are the lovely works of Portland artists Betsy Walton and Yellena James. When I had a brick and mortar shop in town, I used to carry art made by both of these talented ladies.  Feast your eyes on these stunning wall murals by Betsy and Yellena:

Betsy Walton

Yellena James

Portland artist Ashley Goldberg has been working with Urban Outfitters since 2008. Along with her beautiful wall art, she has her own bedding collection! 

A fun little fact: my vintage mini loom belonged to Ashley G.

I love the large brushstroke blocks on the duvet cover.  Ashley's complete Char-Bea home collection can be found here.  If you are curious to learn more about art licensing, Ashley wrote a great article last September for Etsy titled "How to Strike a Successful Licensing Deal."
 

anniversary sale

My Etsy shop turns four, and you're all invited to the party!  Take 25% off your entire order when you use the code ART4ME at checkout.  This includes savings on my new art print and cards below.  Sale runs thru the end of this month.  Thanks for following and happy shopping!

art show in adelaide, australia

When I opened my etsy shop four years ago, I didn't expect such overwhelming international support, particularly from Australia.  I have sent more art to Australian addresses than to local buyers, so I have a deep appreciation for the artful communities Down Under.  

A few months ago, Australian artist Fruzsi Kenez invited me to be part of a group art show in Adelaide.  The Tiny Universes show opens this Friday, and this is the first time my artwork will be showcased in an Australian gallery.  I created nine new pieces for the show.  Going along with the tiny theme, the works are no larger than five inches.  

A sneak peek of some of the art can be found here, as well as more information about the event.  I wish I can attend the opening night in person.  If any of you can make it, I'd love to hear about it. 

In other news, my weaving made the Editor Picks in Flutter Magazine, which is a print publication in Southern California dedicated to couture wedding and event artistry.  

What a great collection of items! I've been eying that Dream Collective ring for awhile now.  (It's on my wish list in Pinterest.) Hmmm, early Christmas gift for myself perhaps?

The weaving shown here was part of my One Kings Lane show.  It is sold, but I do have a new wall hanging available - largest one yet at 36 x 12 inches. 

In upcoming weeks, I have more exciting news to share involving my art and a well-known retailer.  Details are still being worked out, but products will most likely hit the shelves this Spring.

My weavings on One Kings Lane

Summer has come and gone in a blink of an eye.  I guess that's what happens when you embark on long road trips, paint the exterior of the house with only a brush, and handweave nine wall hangings- all in a two month period.

The new handwoven collection is for an exclusive event on One Kings Lane.  The popular online marketplace just launched their Artisanal Sales in June, and I was invited to be part of a collaborative event this upcoming week!

Starting at 6pm PST on Monday, September 9th, my wall hangings will be available for purchase here.  And I'm thrilled that my collection will be featured alongside the works of some of my favorite fiber artists, including Tanya Aguiniga, whose art I mention in this post. 

Some of you may remember that I began weaving after purchasing a vintage miniature loom from the Great Depression era.  I love that little loom, but I decided to purchase a larger rigid heddle loom this summer.  So now I can create wall hangings two feet wide!

           photos: Annie Schilperoort

A bigger loom meant a bigger space.  So I expanded my work area to another corner of our basement.  For now, the space is working out great, but I am sure my loom collection won't stop at two.  

This fall, one of my home projects is to build a simple frame loom to weave a rug.  I'll post pictures on here once I start the project.  To see other weavings I have available for purchase, go to my shop here. 

summer sale!

There's a sale in my Etsy shop this week.  Enter SUMMERSALE at checkout and receive 20% off your order of $50 or more.  The sale runs thru Thursday, July 25. 

small paintings now available

35 paintings // $35 each //  here

Sample Sale!

My Sample Sale is up and running!  Click here to check out the deals.

my creative week

After a two day trip to the mountains in central Oregon, I created this 18" x 24" painting inspired by the Three Sisters.  The three peaks are the main attraction of the 20 mile drive from the charming town of Sisters to the popular recreational destination of Bend, Oregon.  Our family travels often to this area to visit dear friends and to seek a little R & R. 

Although my friend wants this painting for her Sisters home,  it's headed to London! I am honored to be invited back by Lilk Gallery for their upcoming show on Broadway Market.  A few new original works of mine will be part of their group show starting January 21st, including this piece, Pink Moon. 

For more information on the January show in London, click here.

This weekend, I also have been getting ready for my first Sample Sale on Etsy.  I have a number of near perfect prints and one-of-a-kind works that are just sitting in my studio.  Some of these works were done a few years ago. I've entertained the idea of having an open studio, but I realize many of my followers live outside of Portland.  So an online Sample Sale it is!

The event will start this Tuesday, January 8.  Nothing will be marked over $50, so this is a great opportunity to pick up affordable original art.  The pieces below are priced between $24 - $40.

First Thursday event in London

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Three of my paintings are now on display at the Vyner Street Gallery in London! The group show is from December 3 - 16, with a First Thursday event planned for this week.  Images of the three paintings are in this post.  For more information on the exhibition, go here. 

A number of my latest works have also been uploaded into my Etsy shop, including a few weavings and smaller paintings on cedar wood.  Click here to see what is available. 

     

my week

it's been 15 years since we've brought a puppy home

she's a lot like our first dog- so very sweet . . . but a tad more fearless

she didn't even cry her first night with us

the day before thanksgiving, we took her to the beach

she chased the waves and climbed the dunes

we named her Scout

the november rain has been relentless

but we caught a break at the beach

when the sun was setting, the sky looked like it was on fire

a young man pointed to the colorful display and remarked, "heaven's a million miles that away"

well said

i've amped up production this week

in preparation for the holiday market nov. 30 - dec. 1

whatever doesn't sell goes into my etsy shop on sunday

tomorrow's feat: designing a 2013 calendar

i think i can, i think i can

hello london!

I'm excited to announce that my art will be part of a group show at a new London gallery called Lilk.  For the last few weeks, I've been working on new originals for the show.  The three paintings are on paper and are a bit larger than my usual works on paper.  Here's a look at the finished pieces.

Autumn Sun, 15 x 20 inches

left: Black Forest, right: Timberline, both 11.75 x 16.5 inches

I've uploaded a couple of work in progress pics on instagram.  If you live in the London area, I'd love for you to check out the show at Lilk.  The group show runs from December 3 - 9, with the late night event planned for Thursday, December 6.  For those who live outside of London, my new works will also be available for viewing and purchase on Lilk's website.

supporting the arts at a local school

Last year, I helped launch an arts fair at our neighborhood elementary school, and somehow I ended up chairing the event this year.  (Note to self: avoid eye contact at next parent volunteer meeting.)  So part of my crazy fall schedule involves after school meetings, event planning, and networking.  I also managed to eek out an illustration for the poster design.

There will be about 30 local vendors (a number of Etsy sellers) participating in the Holiday Market.  For the next few weeks, I'll be working on new inventory for the show.  I'm thinking more paintings on cedar wood slices and rocks.  And I'm hoping to have a 2013 calendar ready by then.

If you're in the Portland area at the end of this month, please stop by and say hello.  The Holiday Market is a great way to shop for handmade gifts and support a local school. Twenty-five percent of all sales goes back to the arts program at Capitol Hill- yay for art in schools! With the proceeds, we are hoping to update the kiln and stock classrooms with art materials.

swap-a-thon goodies

Last month, five names were fished out of a bowl as part of an annual swap-a-thon on Habit of Art.  I sent my art to five readers, and, in return, I received delightful treats and beautifully crafted items.  Three of the packages came from afar- New Zealand, Australia, and France. 

I love that I have so many talented and creative readers! The photos below show the contents of each swap package.  

New Zealand artist Sally Reynolds made this felted trivet and linen pouch from woolen jumpers and a tea towel.  The cozy wool and mountain scene remind me of home. 

Yummy tea, luxurious yarn remnants, and a set of very cool buttons made up this package from Katie of Je suis une monstre.  J'adore the stamps on the box- tres French!

I love this simple turquoise drop necklace by Linda of Osage Orange Studio.  Linda also included an original drawing by her husband!

The first swap to arrive was from Annie of California.  Tea, yarn, adorable gnome art, and a chocolate caramel bar- yes!  The chocolate is already long gone, but I'm still putting the yarn to good use.

I was so touched that Lamina of Do a bit created a new bag design for our swap.  She blogs about the creative process here.   I was also given one of her lovely screenprinted tea towels.  Hurray for artsy kitchen towels!

Thanks again to all who participated in the swap-a-thon, and I look forward to another great exchange next year.